Leila Fadelhttp://ksut.org
enIconic Lebanese Singer Sabah Dies At 87http://ksut.org/post/iconic-lebanese-singer-sabah-dies-87
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Iconic+Lebanese+Singer+Sabah+Dies+At+87&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxNzgwMzIyMDEyMTQ4NzkxNDM0OWYxYg004)"/></div><p>Fri, 28 Nov 2014 10:53:00 +0000Leila Fadel43708 at http://ksut.orgWith Cash And Cachet, The Islamic State Expands Its Empirehttp://ksut.org/post/cash-and-cachet-islamic-state-expands-its-empire
Islamist militant groups from the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt to the coast of eastern Libya are pledging allegiance to the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS.<p>The Sunni extremist group primarily operates in the chaos of Iraq and Syria but is using chameleon-like branding and the draw of cash to get militants who focused on local issues to join their brutal empire.<p>In an audio recording posted online last week, the head of the self-declared Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, announced that his group is going global.<p>"Oh Muslims," he says, "we give you good news by announcing the expansion ofTue, 18 Nov 2014 21:00:00 +0000Leila Fadel43231 at http://ksut.orgWith Cash And Cachet, The Islamic State Expands Its EmpireNear The Front Lines In Iraq, An Homage To The White Househttp://ksut.org/post/near-front-lines-iraq-homage-white-house
There are a lot of American knockoffs in the Kurdish parts of northern Iraq: Burger Queen is Burger King's twin, and instead of Papa John's, people get their pizza at PJ's.<p>The latest knockoff comes courtesy of Kurdish businessman Shihab Shihab after he decided he'd like to live in the White House.Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:34:00 +0000Leila Fadel43194 at http://ksut.orgNear The Front Lines In Iraq, An Homage To The White HouseIn A Back-And-Forth Battle, An Iraqi Town Splits On Ethnic Lineshttp://ksut.org/post/back-and-forth-battle-iraqi-town-splits-ethnic-lines
The mixed Arab and Kurdish city of Zumar in northern Iraq is a window into the fierce battles for territory between the Kurds and the Sunni extremist group known as the Islamic State, or ISIS.<p>The mountainous landscape is pockmarked with destruction. ISIS took control of the area in August and held it until late October. Then Kurdish forces, with the help of U.S.-led airstrikes, forced the militants back.<p>And while the so-called Islamic State is gone now, the dispute over this land, rich with oil, is far from over. Kurds and Arabs have claimed the same territory for decades.Sun, 16 Nov 2014 10:45:00 +0000Leila Fadel43105 at http://ksut.orgIn A Back-And-Forth Battle, An Iraqi Town Splits On Ethnic LinesIll-Equipped And Underpaid, Kurdish Fighters Hold ISIS At Bayhttp://ksut.org/post/ill-equipped-and-underpaid-kurdish-fighters-hold-isis-bay
Brig. Gen. Mohammad Ali Mughdeed sits in a pickup truck equipped with an anti-aircraft weapon as he and his men wind through steep roads to their base in the rocky Zartik Mountains.<p>Mughdeed's Iraqi Kurdish forces are members of the Peshmerga, a key U.S. ally in the fight against the so-called Islamic State. Also known as ISIS, the Sunni extremists have taken control of about a third of Iraq.Sun, 09 Nov 2014 17:24:00 +0000Leila Fadel42751 at http://ksut.orgIll-Equipped And Underpaid, Kurdish Fighters Hold ISIS At BayPress Freedom Dwindles In Egypthttp://ksut.org/post/press-freedom-dwindles-egypt
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Press+Freedom+Dwindles+In+Egypt&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>SCOTT SIMON, HOST: <p>I'm Scott Simon. Egypt remains a nation in shock after a deadly militant attack on the army last week. There's been a surge in nationalism and a heralding of what's called Egypt's war on terror as a result of that attack and others on Egypt's security forces.Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:11:00 +0000Leila Fadel42301 at http://ksut.orgThe Artificial Boundary That Divides Iraq http://ksut.org/post/artificial-boundary-divides-iraq
Standing at the top of a dirt and gravel hill, past the sand-filled barriers that enclose a small base of Kurdish forces, a soldier looks through binoculars.Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:59:00 +0000Leila Fadel41655 at http://ksut.orgThe Artificial Boundary That Divides Iraq Saudi Cleric's Death Sentence Focuses Shia Anger On Ruling Familyhttp://ksut.org/post/saudi-clerics-death-sentence-focuses-shia-anger-ruling-family
Protests broke out in Saudi Arabia this week over the death sentence of a leading Shiite cleric. Human rights activists call his sentencing political and warn that by killing him, the country may deepen sectarian discord and spur more violence.<p>Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was a leading voice during protests in 2011 and 2012 by the minority Shiite Muslim community.<p>The Shiites were demanding reforms to anti-Shiite practices that shut them out of top government employment and prevent them from building places of worship.Sat, 18 Oct 2014 20:49:00 +0000Leila Fadel41584 at http://ksut.orgSaudi Cleric's Death Sentence Focuses Shia Anger On Ruling FamilyIraqis Displaced By ISIS Face Another Threat: Winterhttp://ksut.org/post/iraqis-displaced-isis-face-another-threat-winter
Leeza Guerges sits on the concrete floor of the unfinished building where she lives now.<p>She calls for her two kids, husband and in-laws to eat the eggs, meat and rice she's prepared.Sun, 12 Oct 2014 14:30:00 +0000Leila Fadel41261 at http://ksut.orgIraqis Displaced By ISIS Face Another Threat: WinterISIS Captives Tell Of Rapes And Beatings, Plead For Helphttp://ksut.org/post/isis-captives-tell-rapes-and-beatings-plead-help
When militants from the self-proclaimed Islamic State swept through the Sinjar area of northern Iraq in August, they killed hundreds and kidnapped unknown numbers of men, women and children.<p>The fate of most of them is still unknown, but activists and those who have escaped recount horror stories of rapes and beatings. They're trying to focus international attention on those still being held.<p>Amnesty International has estimated that hundreds, possibly thousands are among them.Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:37:00 +0000Leila Fadel40774 at http://ksut.orgISIS Captives Tell Of Rapes And Beatings, Plead For Help